Ratcheted: meaning, definitions and examples
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ratcheted
[ ˈræʧ.ɪt ]
mechanical tool
To ratchet means to move or cause something to move, usually a part of a mechanical device, in one direction while preventing movement in the opposite direction. It often refers to mechanisms that allow gradual change or adjustment.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He ratcheted the wrench to tighten the bolt.
- The device ratchets up the tension gradually.
- She adjusted the chair and it ratcheted into place.
progressive increase
In a broader context, to ratchet can also refer to the gradual increase or escalation of a situation, like prices or intensity, in a systematic way. It implies a stepwise progression rather than a sudden change.
Synonyms
escalate, increase, intensify.
Examples of usage
- The negotiations ratcheted up over the weeks.
- The tensions in the region ratcheted after the incident.
- They ratcheted up their efforts to improve the product.
Translations
Translations of the word "ratcheted" in other languages:
🇵🇹 aumentado
🇮🇳 दर्ज किया गया
🇩🇪 verstellt
🇮🇩 ditingkatkan
🇺🇦 посилений
🇵🇱 zwiększony
🇯🇵 段階的に上げられた
🇫🇷 ajusté
🇪🇸 ajustado
🇹🇷 arttırılmış
🇰🇷 조절된
🇸🇦 معدل
🇨🇿 nastavený
🇸🇰 nastavený
🇨🇳 调节的
🇸🇮 prilagojen
🇮🇸 aukinn
🇰🇿 жоғарыланған
🇬🇪 მოიმატა
🇦🇿 artırılmış
🇲🇽 ajustado
Etymology
The word 'ratchet' originates from the Middle French 'rechater', meaning to move back, and has its roots in the Old French 'rachet', which is related to the phrase 'to recover' or 'to get back'. The term was borrowed into English in the early 19th century and has since evolved to describe both the mechanical device that allows for incremental movement in one direction and the metaphorical uses of the term, such as in economics or social contexts. The device itself typically consists of a gear or pawl mechanism that permits movement in one direction, making it functionally useful in various tools and machinery. The broader applications of the term reflect changes in language usage, where 'ratcheting up' has become common in discussions of increasing pressure or increasing intensity in areas such as politics and economics.